A NEWTON Abbot man is facing a string of sex charges against underage girls, one as young as six years old.

Liam Soper-James, 26, of Woodleigh Road, was remanded on unconditional bail for trial by jury at Exeter Crown Court.

He is charged with a total of 18 offences, dating back to June 2006.

The charges include ‘engaging in sexual activity’ with a girl under the age of 13, sexual touching of a girl aged seven and another aged between eight and 12.

Further charges between 2007 and 2011 are sexual touching of a girl aged between eight and 12 and June 2009 to 2011 of a girl aged between nine and 10.

Soper-James also faces more charges of sexual touching dating up to 2016.

Other offences include sexual penetration, attempted sexual penetration, intentional penetration and causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.

Other offences include sexual activity with girls without their consent.

He was due to appear at Exeter Crown Court on July 7.